The Cougars were low performance trail touring sleds. You may not be able to find much for it. You could also try D&D, they might have something for you. If nothing else those sleds handle great and are fun to ride. Try tuning the clutch and take full advantage of the power you already have.

If u want power get a ZRT like I did, look around in the summer I will be selling mine than if ur interested, the only thing wrong is the speedo doesnt work and the low gas mileage I going to fix both tho and paint the ehaust black to retain more heat.

The 550 and the 580 have the same bottom end. You could get a 580 top end, cylinders, heads and pistons along with the carbs, or EFI system, CDI and exhaust. Depending if you use EXT or ZR 580 parts you can get it up to 96 HP.

If you want to get the most out of your sled the first steps are to get your jetting figured out. A properly jetted engine will make the most power possible when tuned for the conditions of the day. With maximum power at the crank shaft you then look to clutch tuning and driveline blueprinting. Aligning everything from the clutches through to the track will mimimze the parasitic drag and maximize the power to the snow. What good is making 10 more HP at the crank if you can only get 3 of it the snow?

The 550 and the 580 have the same bottom end. You could get a 580 top end, cylinders, heads and pistons along with the carbs, or EFI system, CDI and exhaust. Depending if you use EXT or ZR 580 parts you can get it up to 96 HP.[/b]

It's the same top end different bottom end. They have the same bore but the strock is longer thus making up the extra 30 ml.

The 550 and the 580 have the same bottom end. You could get a 580 top end, cylinders, heads and pistons along with the carbs, or EFI system, CDI and exhaust. Depending if you use EXT or ZR 580 parts you can get it up to 96 HP.[/b]

It's the same top end different bottom end. They have the same bore but the strock is longer thus making up the extra 30 ml.
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Sorry Gotts, you are absolutely wrong on that one. They have the same stoke and different bore because they use the same crankshaft and case; 73.4mm vs. 75.4mm bores according to the Wiseco piston chart. Check the Cat parts fische and you will see the real truth. I have been waiting for a 550 to replace the bottom end of my 580, so I'm sure on this one.

If u want power get a ZRT like I did, look around in the summer I will be selling mine than if ur interested, the only thing wrong is the speedo doesnt work and the low gas mileage I going to fix both tho and paint the ehaust black to retain more heat.

...just thought i would tell you, dont ride your sled AT ALL until you replace your clutch side drive shaft bearing because that bearing being shot is 9 out of 10 times the reason that the speedo stops working, and trust me, is not pretty went that bearing fianlly blows to pieces, it can get pretty expensive too.

im pritty sure aaen makes a pipe for that sled, i was looking into it for my dads 550 cougar and aaen made a pipe for one of the older 550 ext's around the same year as your cougar. give them a call and see what you can find